Together with Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), we invited students to produce a piece of art based on the theme, 'A Future to Be Proud Of'.

Our Art Competition is a brilliant opportunity for young artists to compete internationally and showcase their talent. The competition was open to all COBIS schools, including Applicant schools. 

We received close to 270 entries from 111 schools around the world. Well done to all students who entered and congratulations to our competition winners!

Watch the results being announced by AUB

Winners and Runners-up

EYFS & KS1

Winner: The Water Earth

Madison Jiwoo Choi, aged 6, BEK Prep, Korea

Judge's Comment: This artwork title and detailed description shows great imagination and is filled with layer upon layer of all that’s important to this young artist, and the robots. The well-chosen colour palette gives the viewer a sense of calm using blue and green hues and the oranges bring a sense of comfort and warmth.

Runner-up: A Future to Be Proud Of

Yuvaan Khandelwal, aged 7, Children's International School, Nigeria

Judge's Comment: A Future to Be Proud Of is a future facing peaceful utopia. The recognisable global attractions, flags and symbolic positioning of the hands implies caring and sharing peacefulness and a wholesome world for all. An optimistic and thoughtful piece.

KS2

Winner: Unzipping Tomorrow: From Challenges to Sustainable Horizons

Clara Sodolescu, aged 9, British International School of Timisoara, Romania

Judge's Comments: A highly imaginative and inventive way to express two opposing sides of the global issues that are facing the planet. Great use of both physical and symbolic gesture to emphasise the theme. Mixed media is used to great effect.

Runner-up: Land and Sea a Future Harmony

Yeseong Kim, aged 10, The ABC International School, Vietnam

Judge's Comment: Another ultramodern vision of what life may be like in the future. Using a mix of different medium to good effect. The theme allows us to imagine a time when humans and planet can work together in harmony. The sea life was particularly beautifully painted, with dappled shading it is very easy on the eye and the colours reflected above and below sea level add to the mood of blended harmony.

KS3

Winner: A.I's Land

Arwa Mboya, aged 13, Hillcrest International School, Kenya

Judge's Comment: A highly imaginative, thought-provoking and beautifully executed painting that incorporates very contemporary themes that impact all our lives. A surreal balance of objects that allow us to imagine a world where technology and nature can thrive and grow simultaneously.

Runner-up: The Heart of the Future

Carole Canale, aged 12, International British School of Bucharest, Romania

Judge's Comment: The Heart of the Future explores a challenging topic of human nature and conflict. The symbolic globe structure and variety of nations represented in pictures leaves the viewer with a clear idea of what this piece is about. The prominent heart incorporated as a symbol of love gives a clear message.

KS4

Winner: Boundary

Logan Taewon Kim, aged 15, North London Collegiate School Jeju, Korea

Judge's Comment: A fast moving and exciting artwork full of action and drama between past and future worlds all arranged within a distorted setting. Loaded with symbolism and technically accomplished. Looking towards the future with optimism if we steer in the right direction.

Runner-up: Heal the World

Shukrona Akhmedova, aged 14, International Community School, Jordan

Judge's Comment: A packed full canvas that tells multiple stories as part of a well-composed 'whole'. The depth of colour from dark to light moves the eye upward away from the gloom below and depicts a harmonious and bright future ahead. The staircase also guides the eye towards the warmth and light.

KS5

Winner: And we couldn't wait to grow up

Sofi Fateh, aged 17, Aiglon College, Switzerland

Judge's Comment: A fantastic mix of the old and new using traditional methods of quilting representing the strong female bond between women and home, and symbolising strength to express very contemporary social and feminist issues whilst evoking a strong sense of nostalgia. Excellent work.

Runner-up: Better Things Will Surely Come My Way

Alisa Masliy, aged 17, Berlin British School, Germany

Judge's Comment: A poignant self portrait that shows great sensitivity and uses personal experience and story to depict a dramatic journey. Packing the bag offers a clue as to the next part of the story. Beautifully executed in oils, the focal point and central figure is wrapped in a relaxing glow of green hues complementing the warm yellow ochres and earthy colours of the clothing.

Runner-up: A Future to Be Proud Of

Emily Bentley, aged 18, Doha College, Qatar

Judge's Comment: A beautiful sensitively drawn series of skilled drypoint etched prints with a strong familial theme used to express the passing of time and the future. The subjects gathered as family groups are reminiscent of familiar family portraits but the meaning behind is much deeper, due to the way the images have been selected, placed and positioned. The monotype print adds to the slightly haunting appeal of these images.

Judging Criteria

The competition entries were judged by a panel of teachers and art professionals according to the following criteria:

• Imagination and originality
• Overall impact of the finished piece
• Technical challenges and use of material
• Sticking to the brief: ‘A Future to Be Proud Of’

The highest scored entries in each category were then submitted to our guest judge from COBIS Supporting Associate, Arts University Bournemouth, who made the final selection. 

We were delighted to bring you the 2023/24 Art Competition in partnership with Arts University Bournemouth (AUB).